Your Correspondent

 

From the frozen North Pole Upstate NY..

It isn't quite down to zero yet, but it sure is cold. (Apologies to friends in other regions who might be reading this, where it is warming up to zero and they are rejoicing...I am a puppy about cold weather...what can I say?)

When I walked the dog I added some extra leashes to his long rope so I didn't have to step out on the crust and ice. The stars were little frozen dots in the sky, all glittery and pretty and about as warm as the devil's heart.

I haven't seen or heard the Carolina Wrens in three days even though I made this stuff just to feed them and they had been eating it. I hope they are just hiding.

We have refrained from birding the last few days. Our county was under a state of emergency...no unnecessary driving...and conditions on the north-south roads were ugly. The wind was strong enough to twist the house and certainly able to pick up all the lake effect snow and stack it between the snowbanks.

I know I will sound like a typical old fart "back in my day, sonny" but this is a winter reminiscent of the 70s when I was new to driving and the streets in Gloversville were all one lane because of the huge snowbanks. Actually, this is milder than that, but it is bad enough.

Anyhow, in a twist of cabin fever yesterday we ventured out for a short bird expedition. Complete waste of time. I got some pretty pictures of snow, which looked good from inside the warm car, and we saw some turkeys. Pretty bleak and barren and not in any way birdy.

But wait! What birdsong breaks in yonder snowy bush? A Northern Cardinal is singing in the hedgerow by the old horse pasture, the first of the year.

And now the House Finches are singing too. The American Goldfinches are just beginning to subtly molt into their brilliant summer finery. A yellow feather here, a yellow feather there.

Is there hope on the horizon?

Maybe.

High-Mountain Roadrunners and Fluffy Little Robbers

 

High-Mountain Roadrunners

Went on a fast birding trip with my good friend and mentor, George Steele, yesterday. We went from home to Tupper Lake to Saranac Lake to Lake Ontario, stopping along to way to look for winter finches, Canada Jays, and hopefully some Short-eared and Snowy Owls. We missed the owls, but everything else was downright rewarding.

Canada Jay

We began our mountain tour long before sunup. As we entered the Adirondacks we were treated to a full moon that rivaled daylight, setting ice fog aglow on the snowy peaks and striping shadows like ancient ink drawings across the silent marshes and bogs.

I love the mountains

As it set behind the nearby heights the sun began to tickle the tops of the peaks to the east. Within what seemed like only minutes it was daylight. Soon we were at Sabattis Circle Road where we failed to find the usually ubiquitous Canada Jays but were surprised instead by a flight of Pine Siskins, one of which nearly flew in my ear, and gritting flocks of both kinds of crossbills.

White-winged Crossbill

Pine Siskin

At Bloomingdale Bog we found the Canada Jays, or maybe I should say they found us. Long known as "camp robbers" they seemed downright fascinated by the peanuts we brought along, although they would not land on my hand to get them. They have to be the fluffiest, cutest, kind of jay on the continent.

Rough-legged Hawk

Then we were off to Peninsula Point on Lake Ontario. We encountered all sorts of birds there, most notably 27 (!!!!) Rough-legged Hawks. They were everywhere, even in groups of four or five squabbling over prey. We watched a Bald Eagle engage in aerial combat until it robbed one of its dinner. It must have been something fairly substantial, as the eagle sat on it for quite a while.

It was fun. The mountains are glorious wrapped in a thick mantle of snow, sometimes feet thick on individual branches, and the air is elixir of joy to breathe. I do love those mountains and the critters that live there.

Bloomingdale Bog Trail

Mad props to George for somewhere around fifteen hours of challenging driving into and across the mountains, then back down into the valley and home.

He and his wife Anita have a new book coming out next month that seems very appealing. It is a children's book about a blind girl who enjoys identifying birds by their songs. I encourage you to check it out. 

Fluffy little Camp Robber

It's Superb Owl Sunday Again

 And we have snow. Cold, white, fluffy stuff that is weird to shovel. It ain't heavy but it ain't my brother either.

Anyhow, whether you watch THE GAME or try to make like a bear and hibernate while eating snackies, enjoy your day. Don't shovel too much!

About that Birthday

 

Becky wanted nothing more expensive than a peaceful day in the car, listening to podcasts, resting, and escaping from the busy of normal life.

Otsego Lake

As is not unusual, I wanted to chase good birds, so we combined the two, with the added attraction of inviting our good friend Kris along.

The boss drove. He is a great birding driver, as he knows just how to put you on the bird you want to see. He did a great job of just that all day. Kris found me a Merlin, which I needed for my 2025 county list, plus we found Savannah Sparrows, also FOY for me.

Fish

We started out in Cooperstown, getting the American Coots, and assorted other wildfowl that congregate there to take advantage of the open water provided by the bubblers that protect the docks. Coots are uber cute! It was great fun to watch them striding, all big-footed and funny, over the ice, and to listen to their squeaky-toy peeps and chirps.

And more fish

We tried a number of other good spots over the course of the day, seeing everything from the Merlin to a number of daytime Short-eared Owls.

The boss suggested we drive up into the Van Hornesville fish hatchery. We had driven by hundreds of times over the years, and never entered. What a place! Pool after pool of Rainbow Trout of assorted sizes, throngs of the creatures, circling and swirling madly. There were hundreds of thousands of them. We were fortunate to encounter some of the staff there, who patiently answered our dozens of questions. I can't wait to visit again in the spring.

An old spring house at the hatchery

Which Kris noticed was occupied

I believe that a good time was had by all...It was a great way to spend someone else's birthday. lol. Thanks Becky, Ralph and Kris.

The massive spring that feeds the fish pools

If You See

This beautiful person today, baker in chief, collaborator on amazing meals, and probably the kindest and most generous person I know, please wish her a very Happy Birthday! 

LOVE YOU BECKY! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Flamingo Wars

 

It all started with the Allied Union. WWII was not long over and still much talked about among our elders. In our case the Union, consisting of my next younger brother Mike, my Uncle Larry, and myself, with occasional assistance from some rather more civilized cousins, sequestered important elements of Thanksgiving dinner at one end of Grandma L's round oak table (which lives in my dining room now). Then we threatened to keep them there. Gravy anyone? We never actually deprived anyone of holiday sustenance, but threats abounded...as did amazing food. Man could those aunties, my mama, and grandma cook up a feast.

Later some elements of the Allied Union cruised the streets around Grandma and Grandpa's house in my uncle's car, which was doing double duty as a Sherman tank or maybe a fighter plane. We were just enough years younger than he for the hero worship to run strong. He had a car and a sense of fun and we sure loved our time with him...still do as far as that goes. He is a great guy.

Brandy

Fast forward a few years to the Doggie Doo Dah Olympics. Matt was stationed in the Air Force on another continent on the other side of the world. We communicated with him via....gasp....actual mail...the kind with stamps and all.

Two Bears, another Olympic contender

As evidenced by tape holding the envelopes shut when they arrived at their destination, someone was opening and reading that mail. Although we have always blamed local individuals who had access to those snail mail missives, I wonder now if it was happening on the other end of the mail run. It wasn't exactly the U S of A over there or anything.

At any rate we decided that if someone wanted to read our letters we would give them something to ponder over. Thus the Olympics were born. A Doo Dah, btw, is what we jokingly called a milking machine cup liner, made of high-quality rubber, and designed perfectly for tossing and fetching. We all grew up around farming or worked on farms and had access to the worn out ones, which the dogs loved to play with. 

I had a rescue dog named Brandy that was literally on the table ready for the last needle when I talked my veterinarian boss into giving him to me instead. He would do ANYTHING you could make him understand just for attention and praise. Frisbee, digging where asked...he helped put in our waterline...climbing ladders to run around on the roof, leap tall buildings at a single bound. There was no stopping him. It's a shame things like Dock Dog, Frisbee competition, agility and the like did not exist then, because he was that dog.

Oh, the mail order drama and the tense rivalry between Brandy, his family, and that felonious French floozy, er, poodle, Fifi Lafayette. With all the tricks he knew it was easy to elaborate on the many adventures of the gymnastic, bombastic, fantastic pups. We used pages and pages of hand printed...in a teeny tiny font...and colorfully illustrated, lined paper. I wish I could remember all the stories of the doggy Olympic village, the cheating, the scandals, the ridiculousness of it all. Matt and I were always close, and I missed my little brother something awful. It was fun to make up the crazy stories, and to think about some far away stranger reading them in puzzlement. I think Matt may still have some of the silliness kicking around somewhere. At any rate, our letters soon began to arrive unopened. 

In more recent years there was Moose Quest, which I won...Ha Ha! , Gator Quest, which went to Alan and Amber, a short and so far unsuccessful Bobcat Quest, and now....

Extra points for this salvo by Becky
as I am gnome-o-phobic.

Flamingo Wars! Ta Dah! 

I always liked flamingos, and would like to actually see one for eBird, although I did see some in Florida in the 70s. Meanwhile, my house is littered with flamingos in the bathroom, flamingoes in the parlor, flamingos on the kitchen windowsill over the sink, and even a flamingo in the dining room. The girls have a small amount of discretionary income and are not afraid of Amazon or eBay. 

I, however, am becoming afraid of incoming mail. Turnabout is fair play I suppose, but still...

Flaming-Ingo Sky

Anyhow, our family appears to have a long history of silly, but by heckin' heck, we sure have fun.

Alz fair in love and war

A New Year for Birds and Bad News

 

Rough-legged Hawk from late last year

Yesterday marked the first bird count of 2025 for me, as well as the last of the 2024 season. Once again George Steele was leader, driver, best bird spotter, (although I did find a couple,) and general all around good sport about the trials and tribulations of driving around with the windows down in January squalls, listening for peeping from the shrubbery.

It was, as always fun. We found some excellent first-of-the-year birds, including some awesome raptors. Said birds have been unusually obliging lately, sitting still for ID and portraiture quite kindly. I think, not unlike humans, they really don't want to move in the cruddy weather. 

George

They included some Bald Eagles, a Cooper's Hawk, a Merlin, a couple of Northern Harriers, and several Red-tailed Hawks. We went around later looking for Short-eared Owls. Lots of outstanding habitat but no birds. I blame the weather.

Alas, we returned home to horrific news for the first of this new year, as I am sure you have read. I hope those in charge can prevent further incidences of same. Pretty scary stuff.

Meanwhile, it is time for me to head out to find all the birds from last year all over again, as well as to look for new lifers...of which there have been several pretty fancy finds by others already this year, including a Varied Thrush in the county to the north.

I want to wish you all a very Happy....and Safe....New Year, and great birding if that is your thing.

Hugs from Northview to all of you!

Update: I meant the national news from New Orleans and Las Vegas. Nothing personal. Sorry

A Tale of Two CBCs

 

Day 2 Barred Owl Number 3

I participated in back-to-back Christmas Bird Counts this weekend, not a chore for the faint of heart.

The first was the Fort Plain Area Christmas Bird Count. This was the third time for me and the first ever CBC for my dear friend Kris. The weather was not awesome, although it was in fact much nicer than had been predicted. Birds seemed to be hiding out from said weather and we had to work for every one. However, Kris did a fantastic job driving and helping with navigation and I feel like we got it done right well....not to mention it was a lot of fun, at least for me. Hope we can do it again next year, the Good Lord willing and all.

Day 2 Barred Owl Number 1
Just call him bashful

Then yesterday I joined George Steele and another CBC newbie for the Johnstown count. My folks did that one almost as long as it had been in existence, and when my mom got sick of driving the roads counting every single bird, Dad recruited me to help. As he and Mom failed (or in Moms case got bored with it) the boys and I slowly took over their territory, Mayfield South. Lacking a driver I let that go not too many years ago, but when George invited me to join him on his portion of the same count I was glad to do so. I infinitely prefer to let someone else lead, drive, find the birds, compile etc...which he does quite professionally. I am content to help look for birds and click, click, click on my phone all day, making check lists and a trip report of our finds of the day.

It was a great weekend and I want to thank everyone involved, including Ralph, who took me to meet the driving folks...not that I couldn't have driven myself, but he offered....Kris and George for doing the hard part, and all the compilers and folks who get out there and count the birdies.

Also I truly hope Riley was able to get warm and will enjoy future counts in the coming years.

Day 2 Barred Owl Number 2
George called him at midday.

Merry Christmas

 

Winter Day One

 

Mature Cooper's Hawk

So, it's the first day of Winter. Do you know where your lawn ornaments are?

(Under the snow I expect.)

Around Northview we have a few inches, the boss is sick, although improving (man cold...he will get over it in time I expect) and birding is still lackluster. I am barely tempted to go down to the river a couple of times a week. Sure saves on gas.

If you are local you are probably aware of the rodeo on the roads yesterday. A few inches of snow brought so many crashes and near disasters that it was just plain nutz. Sirens and fire alarms were the song of the day...all day. We stayed off the roads except for getting Becky to and from work and were thankful that we could.

I mean, seriously, there was even a plane involved. On the Thruway no less.

An interesting few moments in the backyard yesterday morning. I was in the kitchen when I heard two Black-capped Chickadees alarm-calling in exact unison. That was enough for me to drape my bins and camera around my neck and sneak out into the yard to see what was up. By the time I got out there there were at least five chickees, a couple of Tufted Titmice, and an assortment of other small birds complaining noisily.

Up on the hill in the old heifer pasture there is a tree, quite distant from the house, where passing birds particularly raptors, like to perch. There was a Merlin sitting on the very topmost twig. At first I thought that he was the reason for all the drama, but it seemed odd that the feeder birds would get so excited about so distant a bird. He was obviously uninterested in hunting, as he was still sitting there half an hour later.

I walked around the corner.

There was a small, mature Cooper's Hawk, staring intently at the feeders. I was able to grab a couple of photos before he flew. I think he hung around in the brush for a bit though, although I couldn't see him, as the birds still alarmed for a bit before they settled back down to nomming sunflower seeds.

I have learned to go right out if I hear that chorus of danger calls, as you never know what you will find right there in the backyard.

Anyhow, welcome to Winter. Ticks and mosquitoes are less of a problem than in sunnier months, the next season in the sequence is Spring...and that is the best I can offer you today.

Invasive

 

Eastern White Pine

The  boss kindly ventured out on Seven-county Hill to collect two Christmas trees, one for our house and one for the eastern extension of the family.

In recent years the hill has slowly been colonized by fluffy Eastern White Pine trees, pinus strobus, after decades in pasture and years in hay.

He found two nicely shaped ones, a little too tall even for our high ceilings, but what are chainsaws for? I had to choose. Last year I left the nicest one for Liz, but this year they were nearly identical.

Or so I thought until I brushed my hand affectionately over them.

One of these things is not like the other.

The first tree had soft, silky needles in clusters of five. The bark was greyish green and smooth.

The other had greenish-yellow-gold bark and needles in pairs. Stiff, sharp needles.

Becky went to work on the conundrum.

Her verdict was Scotch Pine, pinus sylvestris. My folks chose this tree almost exclusively when we were kids, but white pine has a special history here at Northview, so I chose that one.

I was astonished to find a wild growing Scotch Pine and to discover that they are considered invasive in many parts of the county, as they often invade prairie areas. 

I guess the old saw that you learn something every day is true...and I like it that way.

Scotch Pine